6 "Agrihoods" That Are Bringing Farm Life to the Suburbs

Farm-to-table neighborhoods are the latest trend in master-planned communities.

1 of 17

Willowsford

Willowsford: Ashburn, Virginia

Not only is Willowsford a planned community with a farm and vegetable garden, it's also part of a conservation effort. Large swaths of the 4,125-acre neighborhood (basically any plot that doesn't have a building on it) are managed by the self-funded non-profit Willowsford Conservancy.

In addition to 45 miles of nature trails, the agrihood's amenities include a campsite, several parks, and a boathouse stocked with canoes and kayaks for use on the local pond.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5 of 17

Willowsford

Willowsford

Willowsford's community supported agriculture (CSA) program lets members pay around $20-25 a week to receive a portion, or "share," of the farm's bounty.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

6 of 17

The Cannery

The Cannery: Davis, California

The latest of the bunch, The Cannery is a 100-acre development with a 7-acre farm that serves as an "agri-classroom" for amateur gardeners and farmers.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7 of 17

The Cannery

The Cannery

Sustainability is a major focus of the Cannery. Its 500-plus homes are powered by solar energy, and owners have the option to upgrade to "net zero living" for an additional fee. The development also features electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

8 of 17

The Cannery

The Cannery

The Associated Press reports that Cannery homeowners can sign up for weekly produce from the farm, even if they're not particularly keen on playing in the dirt themselves. "They can see the pumpkins being harvested or the tomatoes being planted or the different seasons that happen on a farm," said Kevin Carson, president of the community's developer, the New Home Co.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

9 of 17

Flickr Creative Commons/StarsApart

Agritopia: Phoenix, Arizona

Joe Johnston grew up on a farm outside of Phoenix, but by the time he was headed for college in the '90s, it was evident that the rural haven would soon be engulfed by the encroaching real-estate development. That's how Agritopia came to be: after Joe earned his engineering degree, he and the rest of the Johnstons made the conscious decision to convert their property into a farm-based residential neighborhood. (The original family home is now the site of Joe's Farm Grill.)

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

10 of 17

Flickr Creative Commons/Aaron Burr

Agritopia

The Farm at Agritopia also offers a CSA, allowing members to subscribe for weekly boxes of the freshest seasonal produce.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

11 of 17

Cache County

Prairie Crossing: Grayslake, Illinois

In 1987, a group of neighbors joined forces to buy out a developer who planned to place 2,400 houses on less than 700 acres. They formed a company and turned the land into a preservation of sorts, with fewer than 400 homes, now known as Prairie Crossing. A barn originally built in 1885, pictured above, serves as the community's event venue.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

12 of 17

Facebook/Liberty Prairie Foundation

Prairie Crossing

The 100-acre Prairie Crossing Farm offer tours, youth development programs, and classes to help farmers launch and grow their businesses.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

13 of 17

Serenbe

Serenbe: Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia

Steve and Marie Nygren founded Serenbe in 2004 after years of taking their young daughters to the bucolic property on weekends. The virtually self-contained community includes a farm, charter school, horse stables (pictured above), a playhouse, an inn, and dozens of small businesses that serve the residents.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

14 of 17

Serenbe Style & Soul

Serenbe

Serenbe Farms harvests more than 60,000 pounds of produce each year and sells the heirloom and hybrid veggies and herbs to local restaurants and farmers markets, as well as through (what else?) its CSA.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

15 of 17

The Inn at Serenbe

Serenbe

The historic Inn at Serenbe serves as a backdrop for country weddings, as well as home base for tourists who come to learn about sustainable agriculture from the community's farm. Take a virtual walking tour of Serenbe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

16 of 17

Jessup Farm Artisan Village

Bucking Horse: Fort Collins, Colorado

Built between two historic family farms, the Bucking Horse community features a working farm with plenty of educational programming, from camps to cooking classes. The neighborhood's Jessup Farm Artisan Village, pictured above, is home to the Farmhouse, a farm-to-fork restaurant set in a 130-year-old building.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

17 of 17

Jessup Farm Artisan Village

Bucking Horse

Not only is Bucking Horse Farm a convenient source of fresh produce for residents, it also serves the greater Fort Collins community.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.